I checked the clock in the hall, Frank and Liam were due home in two minutes and I ready for them. I had positioned myself on the stairs so that I would be able to them come in, and be able to escape. I had found two water balloons, which were now full to the point that they could burst at any moment. I had one balloon in each hand, ready to attack my old friends as they walked into the house.

I stood up as I heard the crunch of gravel outside, through the window I could see that two boys who looked like grown up versions of my old friends would enter the house before another boy and a girl. Perfect. This would mean they wouldn't be in the way of my prank, or my escape.

I heard the door open, and someone complaining about the primary lot being off and them still having a few days left of school. Liam came in first, closely followed by Frank. They always were really close; I guess some things never change. I waited until they were directly beneath where I was standing on the stairs.

"Oi! You two!" I shouted down to them causing them to look up to where the shouts had come from. That's when I released the balloons directly onto their heads. Instantly they were drenched, soaked though to the skin. I laughed at their faces, shock and horror.

It took a couple of seconds for the pair of them to register who I was and what I had done. As recognition crosses their faces, I began to walk down the stairs, still laughing.

"Ana Claire! You are so dead!" Liam shouted as I began to run towards the kitchen. From the sounds of their feet I could tell that they were running after me, but I had gotten the head start that I needed, and I was faster, no matter what Liam and Frank might say.

I ran through the kitchen and out the back door, I received some very confused looked as I ran by the younger ones, still at the table, having snack. But all was made clear to them as a soaking Liam and Frank come running after me. I can hear the laughter from the kitchen as I run further into the garden.

I run on autopilot, I know every inch this garden; especially where to hide. Without realising it, I run to the clearing where I met Liam and Frank for the first time.

I stop running so it can catch my breath. After a couple of seconds, I look around the small clearing, straining my ears to see if I can hear the two boys. I had great hearing, yet all I can hear is the birds in the trees, and distant laughter from the house: no sign of Liam or Frank anywhere.

'CRACK', a twig cracks behind me. I swiftly turn round to see two boys standing behind me, smirking and dripping wet. One slightly taller than the other has snort blondish hair; I can remember it being longer, I used to be able to plait it at one point: Frank. The other has brown hair, and brown eyes I could lose myself in, his smirk is slightly bigger than the other boy: Liam.

"Alright?" I asked, breaking the silence.

"Yeah," Frank replies. "We got a little wet that's all," Liam adds.

I laugh, "I didn't think it was due to rain," I tease.

"You know what Frank," Liam says with his smirk stretching from ear to ear, "I don't believe we've welcomed our old friend home."

I catch them exchanging looks, then I see a glint in Liam's eye.

"Oh No!" I turn to try and run, but I'm pulled back by two strong arms that have wrapped themselves firmly around my waist. Before I could move, I was engulfed in a massive bear hug by two soaking boys. When I was released from the hug I was just as wet, but didn't care. I smiled to the two boys before sitting by the big oak tree that lies at the bottom of the garden.

Liam and Frank sit down beside me, one on either side of me, both sitting with their shoulders touching mine, almost as though they are scared that if they are not touching me, I may disappear.

We sit there in silence for a few minutes, each lost in our own thoughts. It's not awkward at all. It never is with these two by my side. I feel strong, safe, like I can do anything in the world.

"Why are you back?" Liam breaks the silence. He's picking at the grass, pulling blades apart then throwing them to the floor.

"Why? You not happy to see me?" I say, pouting, trying to make them both laugh. I earn a chuckle from Frank, but Liam just smiles to his hands, not looking up.

I sigh, I knew I would have to tell them at some point. I had just hoped it wouldn't be so soon, but then again, it's not like Liam to beat around the bush.

"I'm back because he showed up," both of them look up at me and give me a shocked look, but I just stare ahead. If I'm going to tell them everything, I know I can't look at them. If I do, I'll probably break down, or decide to leave something out.

And so I tell them, of everything that had happened: how I had gone to live with my new foster family, and everything was great; how my foster dad got a job in America, and so we moved their; how I had some amazing friends, and was really happy living there. Then I paused, unsure how to got on. I take a deep breath, and then let it out. I go on to tell them how he turned up.

I refer to my biological father as he. I've always done it, so Liam and Frank both know exactly who I mean. I guess I call him 'he' as I don't really know what else to call him. He's never been a dad or father to me, and well to be honest, I don't know his name; nor do I care what his name is.

Neither of the two spoke while I explained everything, they just listened. It was just what I needed, and they knew that. I just needed someone I cared about to listen to the whole thing, not saying a word.

After I had finished my tale, I wiped away a single tear that had escaped from my eyes. Then I turned to the pair of them; hoping they would say something or I would end up reliving the whole ordeal in my head.

"You know what," Liam said putting his arm around my shoulders, "that's pretty messed up."

"Yeah," Frank agreed, holding my hand in support, "who does he think he is."

I smile, it was good to have them their; like two brothers. "Yeah," there wasn't much else for me to say, "let's head back inside."

We got up and started to walk towards house, we must have been sitting out for longer than I realised, it was starting to get dark, and all our clothes were now dry. My life story must be longer than I thought it was.

"DINNER" the foghorn known as Gina yelled. Man the woman could shout! We were only half way up the garden, I turned to Liam and Frank and smile a cheeky smile.

"RACE YA!" I shouted as I started darting up to the kitchen door.

"You are so on" I hear shouts behind me, I just run faster.

I beat both of them to the house, as I go through the door, I'm half laughing and half laughing. It wasn't until I was right inside the room that I noticed that the whole of house was there, looking at me amused. Liam and Frank then came crashing into the room.

"No fair, you got a head start," Frank pants.

"Embarrassed of loosing to a girl are we?" a girl with blue hair extensions I haven't met yet says spitefully to Frank. I haven't even met her yet and I already don't like her, plus I'm getting negative vibes off of Liam and Frank so she can't be friends with them.

We sit down, Liam and Frank on either side of me, across from me is another boy that I haven't met yet.

He smiles at me, I return his smile.

"I'm Rick"

"Ana"

"So, I'm guessing your friends with these two considering earlier" he laughs pointing at Liam and Frank.

I smile thinking back to the stairs, "Yeah, I knew them when I lived here when we were little. I don't normally just drop water balloons on people when they get home from school" I say laughing with him. He seems nice, but strangely I sense Liam tense beside me. I brush it off as nothing, he's probably just hoping I don't say anything about the pranks we used to play; I wouldn't blame him, why ruin and waste a good prank!

Every eats with small talk about summer and school, it seems friendly here. The girl with blue highlight, I've been told is Electra, looks disgusted at all the conversations and doesn't say a word: it'd kind of odd.

Mike catches my eye, and raises his eyebrows to me, quietly asking 'do you think you'll like it here', I give him a smile and a little nod. I think I'm gunna be okay, Elm Tree House seems a nice place to be; or as nice as a care can be.

I hope you have enjoyed this chapter, tell me what you think :)